Jewell says Derby's pain will end

Paul Jewell says he is willing to suffer "the humiliation, the pain, the abuse" he is currently experiencing if it means success for Derby County in the Championship next season.

Derby, who were relegated last month, are poised to become the worst team in Premier League history on the back of a 28-match run without a win. Jewell is happy to concede that many of the problems of late are of his own making as he has allowed nine players to leave on loan deals. However, appreciating Derby were as good as down a few weeks ago, the manager opted to take drastic measures in an attempt to build for next season.

"Injuries and loans mean our squad is very stretched, but the loan scenario is down to me," remarked Jewell. "I have probably put myself under a bit of pressure by letting all these players go out on loan. But the reason I've done that is I'm looking ahead because all the money we save, the loan fees we get in, go towards my budget for next year.

"I would rather have 11 points this year and suffer the abuse, the humiliation, and then be able to have a concerted effort. As much as I hate losing, as much as I hate being beaten at home and being bottom of the league, if I can take this pain now and put it towards a stronger push next year I'll take it."

Jewell's injury situation is due to ease for this weekend as Mile Sterjovski and Marc Edworthy are poised to return for Saturday's trip to West Ham United. The midfielder Sterjovski limped out of a 1-0 defeat at Everton 10 days ago with an achilles injury that led to him missing the 6-0 drubbing by Aston Villa at Pride Park last weekend.

The defender Edworthy has been out for a month with a rib injury sustained in his 500th career appearance in a 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United last month.But both players are back in training this week and in with a chance of featuring against West Ham.

Stoke City have extended Jay Bothroyd's loan spell from Wolves until the end of the season. The former Arsenal trainee joined the Championship leaders last month after falling out of favour at Molineux. Bothroyd will now remain at the Britannia Stadium for the remainder of the campaign and is eligible to feature in the play-offs should City fail to secure automatic promotion. Port Vale's manager Lee Sinnott has released defenders Charlie O'Loughlin and Keith Lowe.